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Resources for Teaching About the Hydrosphere

Windows to the Universe invites you to explore Earth's hydrosphere with your students via activities for the classroom. Listed below are activities that we have developed that are appropriate for elementary students. Click on the Intermediate button above for activities appropriate for the middle school level, or click on the Advanced link for activities appropriate for high school level.

Surface Water

Build a Model Watershed Students construct a model land surface and use the model to explore basic concepts of watersheds including that water flows downhill, that ridges of higher land can divide watersheds, that lower-lying areas can create pools, and that water quality is affected by what is upstream.

The Land Plan Challenge Students work in groups to plan towns, being conscious of water resources - rivers and wetlands - and then learn how their town fits into the larger community.

Exploring Density of Salt and Fresh Water: Par 5 This activity provides an introduction to the interaction of fresh and salt water, a phenomena that happens at many deltas and estuaries. It can also serve as an introduction to a discussion of density in general.

Oceans

Ducks in the Flow A storybook and three classroom activities about surface ocean currents developed for the upper elementary classroom

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